CoastGIS is a biennial series of symposia, held under the joint scientific sponsorship of the Commission on Coastal Systems of the International Geographical Union (IGU/CCS), that brings together practitioners and researchers in the field of marine and coastal Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing and computer cartography. Joint scientific sponsorship with the International Cartographic Association is under discussion.

The CoastGIS Conference series began with what was planned as a ‘one off’ conference held at University College Cork, Ireland, in 1995. The goal then – and now – was to focus on how information technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), are used in coastal zone management, science and research. Over the years – with the forthcoming CoastGIS 2013 being the eleventh in the series of conferences – new topics were added to the list of themes covered by the conferences, including marine and coastal spatial data infrastructures (SDIs), marine spatial planning, public participation in coastal decision making and socioeconomic issues.

The CoastGIS conferences were conceived and structured to foster an increase in knowledge of GIS and related information technologies among technical people and for researchers in the fields of marine science and coastal zone management. Over the years, as coastal/marine researchers and managers have become more IT literate, especially in regard to GIS and, now, online web services, the conferences continue to provide a showcase for new developments in information management and dissemination technology as well as a learning experience for all involved in coastal zone decision making – researchers, technicians and managers in educational institutions, public authorities and commercial firms.

Another important goal of CoastGIS events is to present examples of best practice in using the technology to foster better evaluation and better understanding of human impacts on the coastal zone, to provide support to organisational development in this field, including development and improvement of new information services, and to improve the educational framework for both students and professionals working in coastal or marine areas.

About CoastGIS 2013

CoastGIS 2013 (coastgis2013.ca) will be held in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Given that Canada is arguably the birthplace of GIS and geomatics and that Canada boasts the longest coastline in the world it is fitting that CoastGIS returns to Canada after 12 years. CoastGIS 2001 was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The conference is expected to attract upward of 150 people from Canada, Europe, U.S., Australia, Asia and elsewhere. Attendees will include researchers, practitioners, technicians, coastal planners, hydrographers, engineers, and managers from a range of sectors including universities, research institutes, government and industry.

Recognizing the accelerated changes experienced by coastal ecosystems, coastal communities and associated governance, and the urgent need for good spatial and other information and tools to support adaptation and avoid maladaptation, CoastGIS 2013 as adopted a central theme of: